Kristalle am Heinzenberg

"Sometimes you need a little bit of luck. After a thunderstorm, I decided to take a break for a day. A friend of mine, on the other hand, was full of energy and was looking for a crystal chasm in the Bruuchalp area. After a short time, he phoned me to come. My friend had discovered a chasm in which we found a total of 300 kilograms of quartz crystals, these are the classic transparent crystals. They had peaks of up to 25 centimeters and were arranged in groups of up to 50 by 50 centimeters. Although many crystals were destroyed by the landslides of the slope, it was a great find." Walter Rinderer, hobby spotlight, has been a regular visitor to the Glaspass for several decades

The area around Heinzenberg is known among spotlights for the classic transparent quartz crystal. On the Glasergrat, along the Nolla and uphill towards Piz Beverin and Bruschghorn, there are an extraordinary number of crystal fissures. This attracts Strahler from far away to the Heinzenberg.

Spotlighting is a fascinating craft. If you want to try it yourself, it is best to join a guided group and accompany an experienced spotlight. Because in addition to the expertise, the tools and a good sense for the right job, a permit from the local municipality is also necessary.

Formation of quartz crystals

During the formation of the Alps, the rocks in the underground were compressed and broke up in many places. When fractured, crevice-shaped cavities can occur deep underground. Hot water containing dissolved quartz and calcite immediately collects in these. As the fissures cool down, the dissolved substances crystallize and crystals grow from the edge of the fissure towards the centre. If the cavity is large enough, the growing crystals take on their natural shape unhindered and a crystal chasm is formed. Through erosion, such crystal fissures gradually reach the earth's surface.
(Source: Kurt Wanner [Hrsg.]: Naturpark Beverin – Ein Kultur- und Landschaftsführer rund um den Piz Beverin. Südostschweiz Buchverlag, Glarus, 2014.)